9 October 2009

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for organizing this event. I also would like to appreciate distinguished panelists for their insightful remarks.

1- It is totally unbearable that nearly one billion human beings or 15 percent of the world’s population are still considered undernourished.

2- The full impact of the financial and economic crisis on food security is yet to be unveiled. However, it is quite perceivable that negative economic growth, diminished financial resources and access to credit, fewer trade opportunities for the developing countries, possible reductions in aid flows and protectionist tendencies will take its heavy toll.

3- It has been learnt from past experiences that whenever political will meetadequate financial resourcesprogress has become possible. Otherwise, and despite all the good wills and wishes we may unfortunately miss our deadline of 2015 for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

4- Many developing countries are doing their best to improve the livelihood of their people. However, lack of a favorable environment at international level seriously impedes their efforts. Inadequacy of financial resources of relevant international mechanisms, stalemate in Doha negotiations on international trade, agricultural subsidies in developed countries, insufficient ODA and investment in the area of agriculture and rural development, lack of access to new and appropriate technologies, imposition of unfair and politically motivated sanctions, unsustainable patterns of consumption and production and vast speculative moves in the commodities markets are critically affecting efforts of developing countries.

5- Meanwhile, erroneous and invalid patent rights granted by some developed countries to agricultural seeds and products have a negative impact on poor people access to food security; besides, there are signs of fake agricultural subsidies cut in some developed countries which is totally unfavorable to the interests of developing countries.

6- Developments during the recent years also cast doubt on the sustainability of the biofuel expansion projects. The policy of biofuel production requires further studies in order to make sure it will not exacerbate food crisis and environmental degradation.

7- Eradicating hunger and feeding a world population that will hit 9 billion in 2050 only becomes possible by designing a new agricultural order favorable to developing countries and by mobilizing adequate resources to invest in rural infrastructure and boost agricultural production and productivity in those countries. Such order has to ensure a decent living for farmers in developed and developing countries alike.

8- It is worth noting that the prolonged cycles of drought as well as desertification have aggravated the environment in arid and semi-arid areas. Sand dune movement is encroaching agricultural fields and sand storms continue to hit all desert areas including cities and villages. Desertification and drought has increased water scarcity and given rise to migration.

9- We hope that the upcoming World Summit on Food Security in November 2009 in Rome addresses these concerns and secure a broad consensus on eradicating hunger from the earth for good.